PPA-CF is a carbon-fiber-reinforced, semi-aromatic nylon engineered for exceptional stiffness, strength, dimensional stability, and thermal performance. It is suited to demanding functional prototypes and end-use parts operating in humid or elevated-temperature environments.
Design Advantages
Very high X/Y stiffness and tensile strength for structural components
High heat-deflection and softening temperatures for demanding service
Improved moisture performance compared with general-purpose nylons
Broad resistance to weak acids, weak alkalis, solvents, oils, and greases
Material Specifications
Item
Published Value
Material family
Semi-aromatic nylon with carbon fiber
Filament diameter
1.75 ± 0.05 mm
Published density
1.25 g/cm3
Vicat softening temperature
232 °C
Heat deflection temperature
196 °C at 1.8 MPa; 227 °C at 0.45 MPa
Water solubility
Insoluble
Material Properties
Physical and Thermal Properties
Property
Test Method
Published Value
Density
ISO 1183
1.25 g/cm3
Melt index
280 °C at 2.16 kg
8.4 ± 0.7 g/10 min
Melting temperature
DSC at 10 °C/min
258 °C
Glass transition temperature
DSC at 10 °C/min
85 °C
Crystallization temperature
DSC at 10 °C/min
178 °C
Vicat softening temperature
ISO 306 and GB/T 1633
232 °C
Heat deflection at 1.8 MPa
ISO 75
196 °C
Heat deflection at 0.45 MPa
ISO 75
227 °C
Saturated water absorption
25 °C and 55% RH
1.30%
Mechanical Properties
Property
Test Method
Published Value
Young’s modulus X/Y
ISO 527 and GB/T 1040
11,800 ± 670 MPa
Young’s modulus Z
ISO 527 and GB/T 1040
4,300 ± 340 MPa
Tensile strength X/Y
ISO 527 and GB/T 1040
168 ± 4 MPa
Tensile strength Z
ISO 527 and GB/T 1040
57 ± 5 MPa
Elongation at break X/Y
ISO 527 and GB/T 1040
3.2 ± 0.4%
Elongation at break Z
ISO 527 and GB/T 1040
0.9 ± 0.2%
Flexural modulus X/Y
ISO 178 and GB/T 9341
9,860 ± 480 MPa
Flexural modulus Z
ISO 178 and GB/T 9341
3,240 ± 360 MPa
Flexural strength X/Y
ISO 178 and GB/T 9341
208 ± 6 MPa
Flexural strength Z
ISO 178 and GB/T 9341
63 ± 4 MPa
Impact strength X/Y
ISO 179 and GB/T 1043
41.7 ± 2.8 kJ/m2; notched 6.5 ± 2.3 kJ/m2
Impact strength Z
ISO 179 and GB/T 1043
4.3 ± 0.4 kJ/m2
Representative values from standardized printed specimens. Actual part performance depends on geometry, orientation, wall thickness, moisture condition, processing parameters, and service environment.
Processing
Recommended Processing Window
Setting
Recommended Range
Drying before printing
Forced-air drying oven at 100 to 140 °C for 8 to 12 h
Printing and storage humidity
Below 20% RH; sealed with desiccant
Nozzle temperature
280 to 310 °C
Build surface
Smooth or textured PEI surface with suitable adhesive
Bed temperature
100 to 120 °C
Cooling fan
On; tune for geometry and layer bonding
Printing speed
Below 100 mm/s
Chamber temperature
50 to 80 °C
Representative Specimen Conditions
Parameter
Source Condition
Nozzle temperature
290 °C
Bed temperature
110 °C
Printing speed
80 mm/s
Chamber temperature
52 °C
Pre-test conditioning
Specimens were not annealed before testing
Chemical and Handling Characteristics
Characteristic
Published Information
Composition
Semi-aromatic nylon
Chemical stability
Stable under normal storage and handling conditions
Water solubility
Insoluble
Acid and alkali resistance
Resistant to weak acids and alkalis; not resistant to strong acids or alkalis
Organic solvent resistance
Resistant to most organic solvents
Oil and grease resistance
Resistant to most oils and greases
Flammability
Flammable
Combustion products
Water, carbon oxides, and nitrogen oxides; pungent odor
Design and Validation Considerations
Design for anisotropy: published strength, elongation, and impact performance are lower in the Z direction than in X/Y.
Use X/Y-oriented load paths where maximum strength, ductility, and impact performance are important.
Dry and store material below 20% RH with desiccant; moisture can affect extrusion quality and finished-part performance.
Higher chamber temperature can improve properties, especially in Z; validate the selected process window.
Annealing at 120 to 140 C for 6 to 12 h may change properties and can reduce toughness or cause deformation; validate the specific geometry and process.
Confirm chemical compatibility, sustained-temperature behavior, creep, flammability, and safety-critical loads in the intended service environment.
Published Data and Qualification
The values in this sheet are based on standardized specimen testing documented by the material source and are provided for design reference and material comparison. Lucent Additive has not independently generated every published value. Final-part performance can differ because of geometry, orientation, processing, moisture conditioning, and service environment. This document does not create a material warranty or replace qualification of the customer’s finished component.
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